Seven attributes of connectedness were identified: intimacy,
sense of belonging, caring, empathy, respect, trust and
reciprocity (see Table 1). These attributes were identified by
analysing the definitions, descriptions of the characteristics of
connectedness and measurement indicators used by the
investigators in the reviewed literature. The expression (i.e.
the strength or form) of the identified attributes varied across
the perspectives; however, all seven attributes were either
identified or could be inferred in all instances where
connectedness occurred. Although these attributes are discussed
separately, it should be noted that they are not
mutually exclusive categories; there was a great deal of
overlap among the attributes identified.